California State University, Monterey Bay
Master of Social Work Program
Beach Hall West, 100 Campus Center, Seaside, CA 93955-8001
(831) 582-5316
Fax: (831) 582-5333
To ensure that placement sites and fieldwork instructors meet accreditation standards, interested agencies and
potential fieldwork instructors need to provide information describing the agency’s services. The potential
fieldwork instructor also provides information describing his or her work experience and academic training.
Responsibilities of the Agency
1. Accept and cooperate with the University and MSW Program’s policies and guidelines. Including signing the
University Contract and providing the MSW Program with information regarding the agency, its services,
programs and policies.
2. Accept and evidence commitment to the educational objectives inherent in the fieldwork curriculum.
3. Provide appropriate office space, telephone access, supplies and other necessary materials to enable a
student to function effectively.
4. Provide students with a formal orientation to the agency, it's mission, policies and procedures (including
workplace safety), various departments or programs, and any collaborating partnerships in the community, at
the beginning of the internship
5. Designate qualified field instructors. Must have an MSW and a minimum of two years post-masters experience
and ability to provide ongoing supervision of at least one hour per week to discuss the student's progress on
projects and learning activities, professional development, and related challenges.
6. Modify the schedules of any employee selected to be a field instructor to assure that adequate time is
available for teaching and student supervision activities, including meetings and/or training sessions at the
University.
7. Provide any needed assistance to the field instructor in developing appropriate learning experiences within
the agency.
8. Facilitate student involvement in agency staff and committee meetings, conferences and seminars, and any
related activities that provide the student with opportunities for making professional contacts. Students need
to be included as an active part of the agency, engaged in a variety of experiences, including contacts with
clients.
9. Provide student with adequate access to appropriate agency records for the student's research and class
assignments, respecting the confidentiality of clients.
10. Adhere to policies and practices reflecting nondiscrimination applied to clients, staff and students.
11. Inform the MSW Program of any change in administration at the agency that impacts the field program.
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, HUMAN SERVICES & PUBLIC POLICY
• Institute for Community Collaborative Studies • Collaborative Health & Human Services
• Master of Public Policy • Master of Social Work
1
California State University, Monterey Bay
Master of Social Work Program
Beach Hall West, 100 Campus Center, Seaside, CA 93955-8001
(831) 582-5316
Fax: (831) 582-5333
Field Instructor Criteria, Roles and Responsibilities
The MSW Program requires the following qualifications when selecting fieldwork instructors:
1. MSW from and accredited school of Social Work; two years of experience post master’s degree; employed by
the agency for at least 6 months prior to becoming a Field Instructor
2. New Field Instructors and Task Supervisors are required to attend the Field Instructor Training Course to meet
CSWE standards.
3. Ability to provide a minimum of 1.0 hour(s) of formalized, individual, face-to-face, regularly scheduled
supervision each week. Assessment materials shall be prepared by the student and reviewed by the Field
Instructor (i.e., process recordings, audio/videotapes, case presentation, projects, educational learning plan,
etc.) on an on-going basis.
4. Provision of a comprehensive orientation to the agency and its services; provide on-going orientation and inservice training regarding pertinent issues, including review of risk management policies and procedures, e.g.
office and community safety, harassment, transporting of clients, medical precautions, etc.
5. Upholds NASW Code of Ethics, identifies with the social work profession, demonstrates a strong commitment
to social work values, and adhere to the laws that regulate social work practice.
6. Commitment of availability for the entire academic year field instruction period (end of September through
June) and the hours the students are in placement.
7. Being familiar with and following the policies and procedures set forth in the Field Education Manual.
Familiarity with MSW Programs mission, goals, program, and curriculum objectives.
8. Attendance at the Annual Field Instructor Orientation Meeting (held in early September of each year)
regarding school, program, and curriculum updates.
9. Potential for teaching as demonstrated in: an ability to conceptualize theory and practice; implementing
school curriculum with the student; ability to provide the necessary time to the student in planning,
preparation, and review for student’s supervision; and an ability and willingness to evaluate the student’s
performance on an on-going, consistent basis and in the required formal written evaluations.
10. Field Instructors will become familiar with and consistently use the respective field education curriculum in
developing clear expectations of student performance. Includes required course objectives and
competencies, learning plans, process recordings, evaluations, agency site visits, etc. as outlined in the field
course syllabi.
11. Identifies individualized learning opportunities, clients, projects, and tasks within and outside the agency
setting in line with the needs and the school’s curriculum and goals of the student. Knowledge of the
community and its resources.
12. Ongoing collaboration with the Field Faculty Liaison to enhance the student’s educational experiences in the
internship. Notifies and consults with the student’s assigned Field Faculty Instructor and/or MSW Field
Education Coordinator of any changes and/or difficulties encountered in the placement experience.
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, HUMAN SERVICES & PUBLIC POLICY
• Institute for Community Collaborative Studies • Collaborative Health & Human Services
• Master of Public Policy • Master of Social Work
2
California State University, Monterey Bay
Master of Social Work Program
Beach Hall West, 100 Campus Center, Seaside, CA 93955-8001
(831) 582-5316
Fax: (831) 582-5333
Task Supervision
Some agencies assign other human service providers or administrators to be an intern’s task supervisor. In these
cases, interns still must meet with MSW field instructors at least one hour a week for full-time internship
supervision, integration of classroom theory and learning with practice experience.
Task supervision may be with specific time-limited tasks or on a daily basis - directing day-to-day activities;
teaching and guiding them in their assignments; and giving them feedback on their performance.
Basic expectations of all task supervisors include:
1. Participation in planning the internship;
2. Participate in the development/have familiarity with the students’ field learning agreements;
3. Providing primary, direct supervision of the intern’s daily activities which include:
a. assigning cases and projects congruent with the student’s educational goals
b. orienting students to the agency and their assignments
c. giving on the spot positive and constructive feedback to students regarding their performance
d. focusing on the student’s skill development
e. sign hours tracking form
f. keeping notes of supervisory contact
4. Consulting with the MSW field instructor related to the intern’s skill areas needing extra attention;
5. Assist with the preparation of the student’s performance evaluations;
6. Familiarity with the MSW Program Field Manual
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, HUMAN SERVICES & PUBLIC POLICY
• Institute for Community Collaborative Studies • Collaborative Health & Human Services
• Master of Public Policy • Master of Social Work
3